Is It CRPS,MS,POTS,Or Fibromyalgia? The Common Denominator
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is defined as a chronic debilitating pain, continuous beyond the healing of the wound, surgery, fracture, or abrasion and out of proportion of the injury. It is believed by industry experts to be linked to the nervous system.
Overview
Today we are reviewing disorders that are similar to CRPS. As it is already substantially under-diagnosed, I am just drawing awareness to other diseases which mimic CRPS.
Diagnosis:
This is the tricky part as some of these diseases aren’t specifically concluded under specific tests. Most doctors diagnose by symptoms, medical history, and depending on or if a specific surgery or injury has taken place.
Similar Syndromes
Fibromyalgia - A central nervous system illness where the brain misinterprets sensory information as painful stimuli.
Multiple Sclerosis – A disease that impacts the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.
Dysautonomia – Malfunctioning of the autonomic nervous system, regulating involuntary impulses such as; breathing, blood pressure, digestion, and heart rate.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) – Is a syndrome where the entirety of the blood flow doesn’t return to the heart after laying down. It is a form of Dysautonomia.
Other Syndromes Often Grouped with CRPS/RSD
Ehlers-Danlos – rare genetic disorder that affects your body’s ability to produce collagen. This primarily affects the skin, joints, muscles and ligaments.
Symptoms – Dysautonomia, IBS, Pain, Poor healing, Skin ailments
Sjorgen’s Syndrome – An autoimmune disorder characterized by degeneration of the salivary glands.
Symptoms – Dry eyes, dry mouth, often combined with other disorders – rheumatoid arthritis, lupus
Mast Activation Syndrome (MCAS) – A chronic condition where the mast cells in the body release an abundance of chemicals into the body. This results in on-going flares of anaphylaxis – severe allergic response to the body.
Symptoms – Hives, Low Blood Pressure, Swelling, Difficulty Breathing, Diarrhea
Raynaud’s disease – A disorder that decreases blood flow to the fingers and toes.
Symptoms – Color changes (white, red, and blue skin), Tingling, Skin Ulcers & Gangrene
Scleroderma – A chronic autoimmune disease of the connective tissue.
Symptoms - Skin thickening & color change, GI issues, Blood vessel narrowing, Calcium deposits under skin
Conclusion
Most of these disorders have one thing in common. The central nervous system is the region in which it is impaired. As we learn more about CRPS, these other disorders are often grouped with it and mentioned as they share similarities.
Food for thought.
The central nervous system appears to be an important factor. The more we learn about what it takes to fortify it, and how it works, the better off we will be as a collective in addressing these conditions.
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References
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. PaReflectionEd. (n.d.). https://www.paramedicine.education/ehlers-danlos-syndrome/
Barhum, L. (2021, January 3). What are the symptoms of scleroderma?. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/scleroderma-signs-symptoms-and-complications-4177037